WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

ORIGINALLY POSTED: 29 December 2021

A pregnancy and new baby brings with it a long “to-do” list: registry, birth planning, packing a hospital bag, decorating a nursery, and more. Then, after you bring the baby home–the list just seems to grow!

Worrying about when and how to send out a baby arrival announcement is the last thing on the mind of most new parents, but a baby birth announcement is a great way to share your new bundle of joy with the world!

Whether you have to announce baby #2 or #4, cute baby announcements are the way to go. Below we’ve outlined all the need-to-know details about newborn announcement etiquette to take some stress off of your plate!

WHEN TO SEND OUT BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Unlike pregnancy announcement cards, there is no official “time” you should have your baby announcement sent by it. It totally depends on you and your schedule! Even if a few months have passed, still send out the official announcement to share with family and friends.

If you want to plan ahead a little when it comes to baby birth announcements, you might consider getting the cards all set up (including envelopes addressed and stamped) while you’re still pregnant. This way, after your baby has made their arrival, all you have to do is add the key details like date of birth before sending the announcements out.

TRADITIONAL PAPER BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Traditional paper birth announcements are physical cards or letters that are sent to friends and family to announce the birth of a new baby.

To create a paper birth announcement, parents can purchase pre-designed cards or create their own custom design using a variety of paper and printing options. The announcements can then be mailed or hand-delivered to recipients.

While digital birth announcements have become more popular in recent years, many parents still choose to send traditional paper announcements as a way to celebrate and share their joy with loved ones.

Advantages

  1. Tangible Keepsake: A paper birth announcement provides a tangible keepsake that family and friends can keep and cherish for years to come. It can be displayed on a bulletin board or refrigerator or kept in a baby book or scrapbook.
  2. Personal Touch: Paper birth announcements allow parents to add a personal touch to the announcement by choosing a design that reflects their style and including a handwritten note or signature.
  3. Formality: Sending a paper birth announcement adds a level of formality to the announcement and can make it feel more special and significant.
  4. Respectful: Receiving a paper announcement can also be seen as a sign of respect and consideration for the recipient. It shows that the parents value their relationship and want to share their happy news in a meaningful way.
  5. Sentimental Value: Paper birth announcements often hold sentimental value for family and friends, as they serve as a physical reminder of the joy and excitement surrounding the arrival of a new baby.

Disadvantages

  1. Cost: Paper birth announcements can be more expensive than digital alternatives, particularly if they are custom-designed or include premium printing options.
  2. Time-consuming: Creating and mailing paper birth announcements can be a time-consuming process, especially for parents who are already busy with the demands of caring for a newborn.
  3. Environmental Impact: Traditional paper birth announcements can have a negative environmental impact, as they require paper and ink to produce and are often discarded after being displayed.
  4. Limited Reach: Sending paper birth announcements can be limiting in terms of the number of people who will receive the announcement. Digital alternatives, such as social media or email, can reach a wider audience.
  5. Delayed Delivery: Paper birth announcements may be delayed or lost in the mail, which can cause disappointment or frustration for recipients who are eagerly waiting to hear the news.

DIGITAL BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Digital birth announcements are electronic announcements that are shared with friends and family via email, social media, or messaging apps. They typically include the same information as traditional paper birth announcements, such as the baby's name, birthdate, weight, and length, as well as a photo or video of the newborn.

To create a digital birth announcement, parents can look online for different brands that allow them to design and send their announcement via text message, email or even shareable links.

Paperless Post is a baby announcement online company that helps parents design their newborn baby digital announcement by choosing a template and entering any information and pictures you choose!

Overall, digital birth announcements offer a convenient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly way for parents to share the news of their new baby's arrival with friends and family. However, some people may prefer the tangible and sentimental value of traditional paper announcements.

DIGITAL BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Advantages

  1. Cost-effective: Digital announcements are often more cost-effective than paper announcements, as they do not require printing or postage expenses.
  2. Convenient: Creating and sending a digital birth announcement is often more convenient than a traditional paper announcement, as it can be done quickly and easily from a computer or mobile device.
  3. Reach: Digital announcements can be shared with a wider audience than paper announcements, as they can be sent to multiple recipients at once and shared on social media platforms.
  4. Interactive: Digital announcements can be more interactive than paper announcements, as they can include photos, videos, and links to additional content, such as a baby registry or blog.
  5. Eco-friendly: Digital announcements have a lower environmental impact than paper announcements, as they do not require the use of paper or ink.

Disadvantages

  1. Less Personal: Digital birth announcements may feel less personal than paper announcements, as they lack the tactile and visual elements of a physical card.
  2. Impersonal: Some recipients may perceive digital birth announcements as less personal or less heartfelt, particularly if the announcement is sent en masse or without a personal message.
  3. Lack of Privacy: Sharing an announcement on social media or other public platforms may compromise the family's privacy and expose personal information to a wider audience.
  4. Technical Issues: Digital announcements may be prone to technical issues such as poor image quality, formatting problems, or delivery errors.
  5. Not Accessible to All: Some recipients may not have access to digital platforms or may prefer to receive news of a baby's arrival through more traditional means, such as a phone call or a physical announcement.

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT CARDS

When it comes to what the announcement actually says, you definitely have some creative freedom. However, the best birth announcements include at least the following basic information:

  • Parents' full name
  • Baby's full name
  • Baby's birth date
  • Baby's weight and length (common but not required)

If parents want and if there is space on the baby announcement, you can add the following information as well:

  • Baby's gender (especially if the name is unisex)
  • Location of birth
  • Names of the Baby's Grandparents
  • Who delivered the Baby
  • A Baby website or registry

You also have the option to include baby announcement photos! If you want to include professional photos that will obviously push back the time you send them out. Photographers have various turn around times ranging from a couple weeks to a couple of months. You’ll want to have pictures scheduled so that you have an idea on when the baby birth announcements will be ready to go.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT WORDING

Like most things, there is a standard etiquette to at least be aware of. This addresses baby announcement wording, who to send birth announcements to, and the announcement medium.

This is why pediatricians test for the start reflex babies should have to determine if there is cause for concern.

When it comes to birth announcement wording, you have a couple options depending on your style and personal preferences. It should reflect your family’s personality! Here are some options to consider:

Formal birth announcement

  • This type of wording typically includes the baby's name, birth date, birth time, weight, and length. It is a classic and timeless way to share the news of the new arrival. It looks something like this

    [Parent's Name] and [Parent's Name] are happy to announce the arrival of [Baby's Name]

    [Birth Date]

    [Birth Weight]

    [Birth Length]

Clever birth announcement

  • While formal is a classic approach, it isn't for everyone! That's okay. If that's the case, feel free to take a more informal approach and be a little creative. Some parents choose to get a bit more creative with their birth announcement wording, incorporating puns, rhymes, or humor. This can make the announcement more memorable and fun. This might look something like this:

    Our bundle of joy is here

    [Parents's Name] and [Parent's Name] welcomed [Baby's Name] into the world on [Birth Date]!

    At [Baby's Weight] and [Baby's Length], [Baby's Name] is the perfect addition to the family.

    The majority of baby birth announcements are written in third person, but for some really clever birth announcement wording, try taking on the first person. This might look something like this:

    We wanted to let you know we're not sleeping because we welcomed [Baby's Name] on [Birth Date]
    We are tired but over-the-moon in-love with our little guy!

Religious birth announcement

  • People may choose a religious birth announcement for a variety of reasons. For many families, religion is an important aspect of their lives and they want to share their faith and gratitude for their new baby with their community. A religious birth announcement may also be a way to acknowledge and give thanks to God for the safe delivery and for the blessings of a healthy baby. It may look something like this:

    We are delighted to anounce the arrival of our precious baby [Baby's Name] on [Birth Date]}.
    Our little miracle was born at [Birth Time] weighing [Birth Weight] and measuring [Birth Length].
    We give thanks to God for the safe delievery and for the blessing of this new life.

    Families also have the option to include religious quote or message that is important to them about the baby's significance to the family.

Sibling involvement birth announcement

  • Welcoming baby #2, #3 or #4 into the world? Some parents want to include siblings into the birth announcement. Including siblings in the birth announcement can be a fun and exciting way to involve them in the arrival of their new brother or sister. It can also help them feel proud and excited to share the news with others. Some families may choose to have the siblings pose for a photo with the new baby for the announcement, or even have them announce the arrival in their own words. A sibling involvement birth announcement may look something like this:

    Introducing the newest member of our family, [Baby's Name], born on [Birth Date] at [Birth Time],
    weighing and measuring [Birth Weight] [Birth Length]. [Sibling's Name(s)] are thrilled to welcome their little brother/sister into the world!
    Mom and Dad are over joyed and grateful for this beautiful addition to our family. We appreciate your love
    and support as we begin this new chapter of our lives as a family of [Include Number of Family Members].

    If you want to make your announcement a little more clever, parents have the option to insert a message from the sibling(s) about their excitement and love for the new baby.

Gender reveal birth announcement

  • For parents who did not announce their baby's gender during the pregnancy, gender reveal birth announcements are a fun way to share the news of the baby's gender with loved ones. They can be a surprise for those who didn't know the gender ahead of time, and they allow the family to celebrate the new baby in a unique way. Some families may choose to include a photo of the baby with a "It's a Boy!" or "It's a Girl!" sign to further emphasize the gender reveal. Gender reveal birth announcements can look like this:
    Our hearts are bursting with joy as we announce the arrival of our precious baby [Baby' s Name],
    born on [Birth Date] at [Birth Time], weighing and measuring [Birth Weight] and [Birth Length].
    And the big news is ... [He/She] is a [Boy/Girl]!
    New parents can also include a message about the meaning of the Baby's Name or the significance of the gender reveal for the family.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT THEMES

A birth announcement theme is a way to add a fun and personalized touch to the announcement. Some parents may choose their birth announcement theme to correspond with the theme of the newborn baby pictures. Here are a few examples of birth announcement themes:

  • Nature Theme

    Choosing a nature theme for a baby announcement can be a beautiful and gender neutral way to introduce your bundle of joy to the world. Many elements of nature of a symbolic meaning, such as the blooming of flowers representing new beginnings or the cycle of life.

  • Pet Theme

    Our fur babies are sometimes considered to be our first babies, so including them in our birth announcements is a fun and heartwarming way to introduce your new bundle of joy. Including a picture of the new baby with the pet (think laying next to them, baby's hand holding pet's paw, or a little sign saying "Our family just got a littler bigger - and a lot cuter!)

  • Holiday Theme

    Choosing a holiday theme for a baby announcement can add a fun and festive element to your announcement. It allows you to incorporate a special occasion or time of year into your baby's arrival, making the announcement even more memorable and unique. Plus, a holiday theme can add a creative twist to the traditional baby announcement.

  • Starry Night Theme

    Starry night theme for a baby announcement is a cute and gender neutral theme. This time of announcement can be whimsical and cozy. Think of the cute and clever quotes to go along with the theme, "After months of dreaming, our little star has finally arrived." or "We're over the moon to announce the arival of [Baby's Name]."

MORE BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT THEMES

Baby Girl Announcement 

Congrats on welcoming a new baby girl! There are so many cute baby girl birth announcement themes and here a few of our favorites:

  1. Floral Theme: Celebrate the beauty of your baby girl with a floral-themed announcement. Incorporate flowers like roses, daisies, or tulips, and use soft colors like pink, lavender, or yellow.
  2. Princess Theme: Let your little princess shine with a royal-themed birth announcement. Use a crown, castle, or unicorn design to highlight her regal status.
  3. Vintage Theme: Go back in time with a vintage-themed announcement. Use old-fashioned fonts, sepia-toned images, or antique embellishments to create a classic look.
  4. Modern Theme: Keep it simple and chic with a modern-themed announcement. Use clean lines, bold colors, and contemporary design elements to create a statement that's both stylish and sophisticated.

To celebrate your little princess, consider the following wording:

Pretty in pink! Meet [Baby's Name].

We’re tickled pink over the arrival of [Baby's Name]!

She’s sugar, space, and everything nice. Welcome, [Baby's Name]!

Baby Boy Announcement 

Some parents like to add a gender twist to their announcement which is more than okay. You can go beyond a simple “It’s a boy!” announcement and instead get a little creative. For boy baby birth announcements, you might consider the following themes:

  1. Nautical Theme: Celebrate your little sailor with a nautical-themed announcement. Incorporate elements like anchors, ships, or waves, and use colors like navy blue, red, and white.
  2. Adventure Theme: Inspire a sense of adventure with a travel or adventure-themed announcement. Use images of mountains, airplanes, or compasses, and include text like "Our greatest adventure has arrived!"
  3. Sports Theme: Show off your little athlete with a sports-themed announcement. Use images of sports balls like footballs, basketballs, or baseballs, and incorporate team colors.
  4. Superhero Theme: Embrace your baby boy's superhero status with a superhero-themed announcement. Use images of superhero masks, capes, or logos, and include text like "Our little superhero has arrived to save the day!"

To celebrate you new little man, consider using the following words in your announcement:

Oh boy! Meet [Baby's Name]

There's a new king in the house. Welcome, [Baby's Name]!

Our little man has arrived!

Keep in mind, you don't have to do anything special for a boy birth announcement, but it is a fun option to consider!

Baby Twins Announcement 

If your family is one of the lucky ones to welcome not just one but two babies at once, you’ll definitely want to keep that in mind with your baby announcement! Remember, with two babies, you’ll have twice the information to include, so you might not be able to put a bunch of extra information in your announcements. Here are a few clever twin baby announcement themes:

  1. Two Peas in a Pod Theme: Celebrate your adorable duo with a "two peas in a pod" theme. Use images of peas, pods, or vegetable gardens, and incorporate soft pastel colors like green, yellow, and white.
  2. Double Trouble Theme: Embrace the chaos and excitement of having twins with a "double trouble" theme. Use bold fonts and bright colors, and include text like "Double the diapers, double the love!"
  3. Noah's Ark Theme: Highlight your little ones' cute and cuddly nature with a Noah's Ark theme. Use images of animals like giraffes, elephants, or lions, and incorporate a cute tagline like "Our two little miracles have arrived!"
  4. Matching Outfits Theme: Show off your twins' adorable matching outfits with a matching outfits theme. Use images of onesies, booties, or hats, and incorporate fun phrases like "Two times the cuteness, two times the fun!"

Just like with a single boy or girl, twin parents can still have fun with their announcements. Here are some clever examples of twin birth announcement wording:

Double trouble! Welcome [Baby's Name] and [Baby's Name].

Two hearts are definitely better than one!

Nope, you aren’t seeing double. We had twins. Meet [Baby's Name] and [Baby's Name]!

No matter which theme you choose, remember to include all the important details, like your baby's name, birth date, and weight. Congratulations again on your new bundle of joy!

HOW TO ANNOUNCE BABY BIRTH IN OFFICE

While you’ll be sending announcements to family and friends, you might consider a different approach for the people you work with (especially if there are a lot of them!). In this instance, it is completely appropriate to just send a baby birth announcement email to colleagues.

With an email, you can even type it ahead of time, save it to draft, and then go back and add the missing information (including a picture!) before you send it. It might look something like this:

Subject Line: Baby [Baby's Last Name] is here!

Email Body:

Dear Team,

I wanted to share with you that [Parent's Name] and I welcomed our (son/daughter) [Baby's Name] into the world on [Birth Date]. At [Birth Weight] and [Birth Length] long, [Baby's Name] is as healthy as can be, and we are in love!

Thank you for sharing in this joyous news with us!

The bottom line when it comes to baby announcements: don't stress and have fun with it! This is a fun and exciting way to celebrate the birth of your little one with family and friends near and far.

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